The Real Review has announced the 24 finalists for its Top Wineries of Australia 2026 category awards.
Winners will be announced alongside the 9th annual Top Wineries of Australia ranking on May 11.
Finalists in each wine style category represent the most intriguing wines selected from 10,146 wines tasted by The Real Review for the 2026 rankings.
Principal wine writer Huon Hooke says, “This marks the second year of both recognising winemaking talent and honouring the excellence of the wines themselves, through our category awards.
“At a time when the wine industry faces growing challenges, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the individuals behind the craft, and the distinctive styles they bring to life.
“With five states represented across our 24 finalists, we can see that world-class quality is being achieved across the breadth of the Australian wine landscape.”
Victoria
Victoria has emerged as a frontrunner this year, securing 10 of the 24 finalist spots – the most of any state.
Victoria’s cool-climate prowess is on full display in the White Wine of the Year category, where Oakridge, Fighting Gully Road and Crittenden secured all three finalist spots.
“Victoria continues to set the pace for quality,” says Hooke.
“Sarah Crowe and Andrew George at Yarra Yering, and Michael Dhillon at Bindi, are masters of their craft with an enviable track record of consistency.
“Meanwhile, Joshua Cooper is a compelling talent; his thoughtful, low-intervention approach is yielding some truly exceptional, terroir-driven wines.”
New South Wales
The NSW cohort highlights a vibrant future, particularly in the Rising Star category with Aaron Mercer (Mercer Wines) and Nadja Wallington (ChaLou Wines) listed as finalists.
“Both Aaron and Nadja are highly impressive winemakers,” says Hooke.
“Mercer is doing fine work with alternative varieties and sustainable viticulture, while Nadja is proving just how much potential the high-altitude sites of Orange have for producing wines of elegance and poise.”
South Australia
South Australia remains a powerhouse with seven finalists.
The state’s sparkling credentials are on display with Deviation Road and DAOSA, while Steve Pannell (S.C.Pannell) is a finalist for Vigneron of the Year.
Notably, Chaffey Bros Wine Co. Not Your Grandma’s Rosé ($25) earned a 95-point score and a place as finalist.
“Rosé has evolved from an afterthought into a serious, high-quality category,” Hooke says.
“The Chaffey Bros entry proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to find a rosé with genuine complexity and character.”
Two South Australian icons, Henschke and Thistledown, are finalists for Red Wine of the Year, while Rieslingfreak contends for Sweet Wine of the Year.
Huon Hooke is supported by a team of critics including Stuart Knox, Aaron Brasher, Gabrielle Poy, Melisa Moore and Ralph Kyte-Powell.
Category finalists are:
Vigneron of the Year
Michael Dhillon – Bindi Wines (Macedon Ranges)
Steve Pannell – S.C. Pannell (McLaren Vale)
Sarah Crowe and Andrew George – Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley)
Rising Star of the Year
Aaron Mercer – Mercer Wines (Hunter Valley)
Joshua Cooper – Joshua Cooper Wines (Victoria)
Nadja Wallington – ChaLou Wines (Orange, NSW)
Sparkling Wine of the Year
House of Arras Grand Vintage 2017 (Tasmania)
Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2018 (Adelaide Hills)
DAOSA Piccadilly Valley Rosé Vintage 2022 (Adelaide Hills)
White Wine of the Year
Oakridge 864 Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Yarra Valley)
Fighting Gully Road Smiths’ Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Beechworth)
Crittenden Cri de Coeur Sous Voile Savagnin 2020 (Mornington Peninsula)
Rosé Wine of the Year
Pt Leo Estate Rosé Pinot Noir 2025 (Mornington Peninsula)
Chaffey Bros Wine Co. Not Your Grandma’s Rosé 2025 (Barossa)
De Salis Rosé Pinot Noir 2024 (Orange, NSW)
Red Wine of the Year
Henschke Hill of Grace 2021 (Eden Valley)
Thistledown Sands of Time Old Vine Blewitt Springs Grenache 2024 (McLaren Vale)
Cullen Diana Madeline 2023 (Margaret River)
Sweet Wine of the Year
Rieslingfreak No.8 Polish Hill River Schatzkammer Riesling 2025 (Clare Valley)
Pizzini Per Gli Angeli 2014 (Victoria)
Lillypilly Noble Blend 2022 (Riverina, NSW)
Fortified Wine of the Year
Campbells Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat NV (Rutherglen)
Stanton & Killeen Vintage Fortified 2022 (Rutherglen)
Faber Vineyard Grand Liqueur Muscat NV (Swan Valley)
Photograph: Huon Hooke (Tim Levy).
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